How do I introduce a buyer to my pilates studio’s private session clients?
Wait until the buyer is committed and a confidentiality agreement is signed, then introduce them in stages. Ask private clients how they would like to be contacted, and respect those who prefer to stay with you through the transition. A warm personal introduction works better than a group email.
Private session clients are close to their instructor, and they share personal information about injuries and goals. Treat that trust carefully. Before any introduction, check what your client forms and privacy practices say about sharing details with a buyer. Your lawyer can tell you what is allowed, and a buyer should not see client records until the sale is far enough along.
Plan the introductions in order of importance. Begin with your longest-standing clients and offer a short joint session or a brief meeting. Explain why you are selling, who the buyer is and what continues. Let the client ask the buyer questions directly. Some will want you to stay on for a time, so find out which of your clients depend on that.
Agree with the buyer how long you will stay involved, and write it into the sale terms. Offer to teach alongside the new owner for a few sessions. Watch for clients who go quiet and follow up kindly. Keep a list of introductions made and the response, so the buyer can follow up where it counts. Offer clients a clear way to say no, so nobody feels pressed into meeting a stranger about their body and their health.
Key takeaways
- Wait for a signed confidentiality agreement and a committed buyer before introducing anyone.
- Start with longest-standing clients and use personal meetings over group emails.
- Agree in writing how long you will stay involved after the sale.
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to minimize negotiations when selling your business
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaIndustryHow to sell your business
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